Basic Problem Solving Principles

by Greg Gardner

I began writing this book way back in 1992, just after the massive TQM movement had started losing its momentum. Corporate America decided to shift its point of view towards Total Quality Control, because it was too cumbersome, took too long, too much paperwork, and...many didn't want to hear the results. In the 60's, 70's and 80's, Quality Gurus Joseph M. Juran and W. Edwards Deming were on top of their game. Many companies were interested in Japan's amazing turn around and wanted to know more about producing quality products and services. In the early 90's, things started to change. Technology, the Internet, and a great demand to become faster, more productive and make as much money as possible at all costs seems to have become the primary objective in the corporate world today. Companies tend to throw "the baby out with the bath water." Everything seems to have a quick fix or short life cycle to it. The typical mindset of most, has become very off balance when it comes to taking time for quality control and conformance. It seems easier to throw something away and to go out and purchase another -- companies make more revenue this way. It is important for all of us to have some sort of common sense to problem solving if we are going to survive the future challenges. As this world grows smaller, the potential for opportunities grows larger. I've tried to present this concept is the easiest way I know -- I hope it helps. So next time you have a problem, don't just assume, admire, or deny the problem, take a few moments to follow these three DEFINE, ANALYZE, SOLVE

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 2010